Stephan Whitaker |

Research Economist

Stephan Whitaker is a research economist in the Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. His current research focuses on the political economy of private activity municipal bonds. Stephan is active with the bank’s interdepartmental group studying regulatory reform as it relates to consumer protection in financial product markets. He also has a background in program evaluation and worked on the evaluation of the Illinois Going Home prisoner reentry project.

Stephan earned his PhD in public policy from the Harris School at the University of Chicago. He holds an MS in statistics from Colorado State University and a BA in economics from Columbia University. Before earning his doctorate, Stephan served for four years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Title	Date	Publication	Author(s)	Type
A Conference on Consumer Protection in Financial Product Markets	May, 2010	Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Policy Discussion Paper, no. 29	Stephan Whitaker;	Policy Discussion Papers
	Abstract: A conference organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland engendered an informative discussion of consumer protection in financial products markets. Anticipating significant changes in financial regulation, the conference asked the question, “How could regulators successfully protect consumers?” It intentionally looked beyond the existing institutions. The first of three panels discussed how consumers gather information and process it to make purchase decisions. Lessons learned from research on food labeling and shopping were discussed. Another panel examined the roles of professionals who guide consumers through a marketplace. Panelists discussed the legal obligations of brokers and rating agencies. The final panel focused on product preapproval processes like the FDA’s regulation of pharmaceuticals and the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s post-market tracking of injuries. This Policy Discussion Paper summarizes the presenters’ material and draws out themes that point a way forward for efficient, competitive financial product markets that are safe for consumers.
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Making Financial Markets Safer for Consumers: Lessons from Consumer Goods Markets and Beyond	December, 2009	Vol. 1, No. 1	Stephan Whitaker; Thomas J Fitzpatrick IV; Daniel A Littman;	Forefront
	Abstract: In the wake of the mortgage meltdown, policymakers are discussing how best to protect consumers in financial product markets. The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland hosted a seminar, “Consumer Protection in Financial Product Markets,” in September 2009 to exchange ideas with other regulators about consumer protection and the role of the courts.
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Video: Forefront Roundtable	December, 2009	Vol. 1, No. 1	Stephan Whitaker; Thomas J Fitzpatrick IV; Daniel A Littman;	Forefront
	Abstract: Watch economists with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland discuss their takeaways from the September 11, 2009, seminar on consumer protection.
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Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland: http://www.clevelandfed.org

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Stephan Whitaker |